* 4^ « 

■0 dP'ft 









^. 



^.^ 







^ 







i 


















^ 
^ 



^ ^ ''^ ^.'^^ ^ ♦•.o« .0'' 



* 




• »■»« A^"'^,. ViJ^lg^*' A^'^. 
















% 

9 












V .J-^-^.. 






40*. 






o 

c 






%^*' 






>•• ,/\. 



















V^^frf^' .0-^ 



.^^ 


















5^ 




£sU 









♦• A*"^. 



.A <* 



♦' 



^ 




HISTORY 



OF THE 



laHort 



9 



liY 



^j2:*<3LS3ni7b.s CJ0370S 



WINTER PORT: 

Advertiser Job Print. 
1S97. 



',1 ' > 1 -) I -, 



•01 

PREFACE. 



This little History, should ^-ou term it such, 
■ was published bj^ C. R. Lougee, with the 
kind assistance of Mrs. Charles Abbott, and 
Mr. E. Ferren Blaisdell. It tells of the old 
town of Frankfort when first settled and also 
speaks of olden time people, their customs, 
with man}^ historical sketches in the days 
when Winterport and Frankfort were one. 

By. request of some of the older inhabitants 
we publish this little book and hope it will be 
favorably received. 



< • • «. I I. I « 

Itc cc»*4 



1- 



r-iJI 




^ 



<L» 




in 




S 


^-v 


O 


vo 


/-; 


uo 


-*-> 


(ij 


Hi 


bJO 


"^ 


03 




P. 


O 






OJ 


cu 


<L> 


,15 


tn 


4-1 


^^ 


t:; 




cd 





(L) '-' 



o 


• T— i 


w 


-M 




• T"< 


»— H 


;3 


o; 


pq 







cd 
5 



HISTORY OF FRANKFORT, 



In 1766 there were two log houses in what is now 
Frankfort, (Winterport) one near where the Sampson 
house now stands(now, in 1896, a house owned by 
Mrs. Dr. Tha^^er on the lot) built by John Dunton 
afterwards occupied bj^ Ephriam Grant and the other 
on the McGlathr}^ place built by Joshua Ayres, sub- 
sequently occupied by John Couillard. There was to 
be seen at this time, the remains of a battery on high 
head, now the Tappan lot (T. Gushing lot) supposed 
to have been built by Baron Castine; a hollow place 
has marked the spot until within a few years. 

In 1772 the first survey was made in this town. A 
line was then run parallel with the river and one mile 
back. This line commenced at the Cove and run 
straight to the Marsh stream, which it hits near the 
spring bej^ond the guide post on the road to Camp- 
bell's Mills. On this line monuments were erected 
every fift}^ rods, dividing it into 100 acre lots; this is 
still known as the Chadwick line, named from its 
surveyor, and is the head bound of all the lots on the 
river within the compass named above. Upon the 
plan of that survey were put down, besides the houses 
already mentioned, one on the Low brook lot, occu- 
pied b}' one Low; on the Cain lot now known as the 
Martin place occupied b}^ Wilson, (now occupied by 
G. H. Dunton) on the Lombard lot, and one on the 



2 HISTORY OF FRANKFORT. 

Renny place, occupied by Hatevil Colson. These 
were all log houses. ■ 

In the year 1779 this river was the scene of one of 
the most disastrous affairs which darkens the page of 
our revolutionary history. The largest and best 
equipped fleet fitted out in this country during the 
war, was here completely annihilated. The enemy 
having landed a force at Bagaduce, now Castine, and 
commenced intrenchments there, it being in the juris- 
diction of Massachusetts, a fleet was promptly fitted 
out from Boston consisting of nearly twenty armed 
vessels, ships, brigs and sloops of war. One of them, 
the ship Warren, was furnished by the general gov- 
ernment, and was the flag ship of the fleet. Besides 
the armed vessels there were about the same number 
of transports — vessels employed to carry troops and 
supplies. The marine and land forces amounted to 
about 6,000 men. Gen. Lovell commanded the latter 
and Com. Salstonstal the fleet. Upon arriving at 
Bagaduce some attempts were made to capture the 
place but nothing effectual done until the enemy had 
time to hem them in with a more powerful fleet. The 
commanders appear to have been very inefficient men, 
and all that was now thought of was flight. Two of 
the vessels in attempting to make their escape round 
the western end of Ivong Island were captured by the 
enemy, the remainder of the fleet retreated up the 
river, were set on fire by their crew\s and blown up, or 
burnt to the water's edge and sunk. One vessel was 
sunk opposite Sampson's ledge, she has since been 
visited by a diving bell and some iron articles brought 
up. The flag ship Warren was destroyed at Oak 



HISTORY OF FRANKFORT. 3 

Point — her decks were strewed with oil and set on fire, 
soon the magazine was reached and blown to frag- 
ments. She contained in part the stores of the fleet, 
and it is said the shore was strewed with biscuits like 
flakes of snow. Some of her remains may still be 
seen imbedded in the mud. The sloops of war Mon- 
mouth, Sally and Black Prince, each carrying 20 guns 
were destroyed at Hampden. The number of vessels 
in all destroyed between Castine and Bangor was 33. 
The troops and marines were marched through the 
wilderness to Fort Halifax on the Kennebec opposite 
Waterville. The first which went through used a 
compass and spotted trees as a guide to those who 
should follow, when they came to Long Pond in Unit}^ 
they spotted a road on both sides of it, in consequence 
of which, the second party in following the trail went 
around the pond two or three times. The men suffer- 
ed much on the march. Though there was abund- 
ance of provision in the fleet, they were not provident 
enough to take a sufficient supply with them, and 
before they got through were obliged to resort to 
Indian cucumbers and the bark of trees for food. 
They were five days in performing the journey. 

The History of Frankfort, from which these sketches 
are taken, was written for an association of 3'oung 
people called "The Mutual Improvement Society," 
by Erasmus Archibald Jones, about the year 1844. 
Mr. Jones was assisted by many of the early settlers 
whose memories were still fresh with the early scenes 
herein narrated, particular!}^ Archibald Jones, Esq., 
and Tisdale Dean, gentlemen who took prominent 
parts in many of these incidents. Archibald Jones, 



4 HISTORY OF FRANKFORT. 

father of E. A. Jones, came here from Worcester, 
Mass., in t8o2, he was the first lawyer who settled 
here. He decided on this place as the probable loca- 
tion of the future city on the Penobscot, from its being 
the head of winter navigation. He died Februar}^, 
1858, aged 81 years. 

Capt. Ross, of the ship Monmouth, having had a 
leg broken at Castine, and being unable to march 
with his comrades, took up his lodgings at Capt. 
Ephraim Grant's. The English surmising he was 
somewhere on the river, were on the alert for him, 
when they were known to be near, Capt. Grant, who 
was a powerful man, took him on his back and carried 
him up into the valley in the Sampson pasture and 
hid him in a thicket where he had a bed for him. He 
finally made his escape by the British and got home. 
Capt. Grant, with part of his family, fearing molesta- 
tion from the enemj^ performed the journe}^ to the 
Kennebec. When the}'- returned it was in the winter 
and snow shoes were used, their provisions being 
hauled on hand sleds. During their absence, their 
place had been visited by a privateer, their hay carried 
off to Bagaduce, and their house converted into bar- 
racks. 

Provisions were very scarce and high during this 
period. Flour was $24 per barrel and meal J4 per 
bushel. Some of the inhabitants lived wholly on fish 
and milk, and what game they killed in the woods. 
Moose were very plenty. One man who lived here at 
that time relates that he has killed seventeen in one 



HISTORY OF FRANKFORT. 5 

spring, and used almost every day to see them when 
he went up to Oakman hill after his cattle. Other 
game was very abundant^ moose, deer, otters, bears, 
wolves, martins, foxes and hares. Upon a meadow 
one mile from this village may still be seen the remains 
of a beaver dam, by which the meadow was at one 
time flowed. One old lady used to tell of seeing a 
hawk flj'ing at this time of scarcity with a fish in his 
claws. When he was over her head, she raised such a 
scream as caused him to drop the fish, upon which 
she made an excellent dinner. 

At the time of which we have been treating, there 
was one house at Hampden, none at Bangor. The 
settler at Hampden was Col. Gouldthrite, for some 
time he was the commander of Fort Point, j He was a 
noted Tory, and at the conclusion of the^war) in making 
his escape to the Provinces with a large number of 
others of like character, was ship wrecked and lost. 
After peace was concluded, this country began to be 
settled. Those who had left the river, returned and 
others came and commenced settlements. 

The first frame house erected in Frankfort was in 
1 78 1 by one Smith, on what is now the Holmes place 
near the Steam Mill. 

In 1783 the Grant house just back of Capt. John 
Arey's(afterward Capt. Edwin lyittlefield's, which 
was burnt down) was built, and was standing until 
within a few years, when it was pulled down. The 
Grant barn, built the same year, still stands(i844) 
bearing indubitable signs of age. 



6 HISTORY OF FRANKFORT. 

The house now owned by E. F. Blaisdell was built 
in 1785 by his grandfather, Ebenezer Blaisdell. 

At this time the nearest physician was Dr. Crawford 
at Fort Point. 

A story is handed down of Col. Gouldthrite, who 
kept the fort at Fort Point, that at a time when he 
was preparing for some great feasting occasion, he 
employed an Indian to kill a moose for him. When 
the Indian appeared with his game the colonel asked 
him where he had found "so fat a moose." He replied 
"It is your horse," but it was thought he was joking, 
and the supposed moose meat was highly relished. 
When the colonel came to hunt for his horse, which 
had been turned out to graze at a distance from home, 
he was not to be found, and then it was known the 
Indian had told the truth. 

In 1789 the town of Frankfort was incorporated. 
Previously it had been called Marsh Bay. At the 
time of its incorporation it included all of Prospect, 
part of Newburg and most of Hampden. The seat of 
government was at Sandy Point. Here the town 
meetings were held and this was the principal place 
of trade. 

At this time, in addition to the settlers already 
named, Tobias Oakman lived in a house which was 
afterwards burned, near the site of Tobias O. Thomp- 
son's house. Miller Johnson lived in a house between 
the house now occupied by his son, Thomas Johnson, 
and the river. Moses lyittlefield, a revolutionary 
soldier, on the Martin place (now G. H. Dunton's) 



HISTORY OF FRANKFORT. 7 

Judge Goodwin, who was surgeon mate on board the 
U. S. Ship Warren when she w^as destroyed, John 
Bolan, I. Haegan on Atwood place, Kempton on Oak 
Point, Clark on the Hardy place and Joshua Treat on 
Treat's Point. 

The only horse in town was owned by Parson Carle- 
ton, who lived in Goshen. Oxen were more plenty. 
Everything was drawn on sleds in summer, as well as 
in winter, as there were no wheels and no roads fit for 
them. At one time, a party was given by Mr. Treat 
at the Point, to attend which, ox sleds were called 
into requisition by the beaux and belles of that day. 

Tobias Hale)^ came here in 1791; John Mclntire in 
1792; about this time Enoch Sampson and Esquire 
McGlathry came; Sampson built a house still called 
the Sampson house (now on the lot owned by Mrs. 
Dr. Thayer;) a wharf which was the first wharf built 
here, and a store near it in which he traded, a barn on 
the lot which Mr. H. W. Emerson now occupies, 
remained a long time in a delapidated condition, 
affording a night's lodging for some homeless person 
as "old Clifton," the terror of the school children. 

In 1794 Prospect and Hampden were set off. Judge 
Goodwin was the first Representative to the General 
Court held in Boston. 

In 1802 the Blaisdell house (now occupied by Capt. 
Dudley) was built and a store near it. A. E. Kelley's 
house, called the Cox House, which was used as a 
tavern, the Dutch House, (a ccttage opposite what is 
now N. H. Hubbard's,) a store where the brick school 



8 HISTORY OF FRANKFORT. 

house now stands, (where Nason Brothers' meat mar- 
ket is,) and Hall's store had been built, also a wharf 
near Hall's store; there are still some remains of this 
wharf near the outlet of Low's brook. 

From 1802 to 1806 there were eleven houses and 
three stores built, all two story buildings except two 
— the house where Joseph Robinson lives, (now owned 
by F. C. Young) which was built by Dr. Peabody, 
the first physician who lived here; he remained but a 
few years then removed to' Levant. The Freeman 
house opposite Patrick McShea's. Tisdale Deane's 
house, first used as a store, was built by Daniel Liver- 
more; he afterwards built Benj. Shaw's house. 

Livermore was a passionate tempered man and on 
being insulted by Capt. Clements he struck him on 
the head with a billet of wood, which so injured him 
that his life was despaired of. Livermore, who lived 
at Monroe at this time, felt very uneasy about it, and 
on inquiring of a man concerning his state was an- 
sw^ered, "Capt. Clements is dead; I have just come 
from there and assisted in lajdng him out." Upon 
hearing this news, Livermore packed up his valuables 
and fled. He has never returned, though his supposed 
victim is alive still. Livermore's widow died the 
present month in Monroe at the advanced age of 
eighty-nine. 

Mrs. Andrews' house built b}^ Simeon Kenney; Mrs. 
Milliken's (now Benj. Hall's) built by Abel Curtis, 
who followed the sea; Oliver Couillard's house, built 
by Reuben Winchell, a mason by trade; John Stokell 



HIvSTORY OF FRANKFORT. 9 

house; widow Arey's house, built by Esquire Merrill; 
Deborah Thompson's house, built by a Mr. Cox, who 
kept tavern in the Kelley house, likewise Wni. Holmes' 
store, (where Moody's cooper shop now is) which was 
built and occupied by Thurston and Thorndike, Mc- 
Glathry's store, occupied by John McGlathry (where 
F. W. Haley's store now is;) Tisdale Deane's store, 
(now A. B. Fernald's) was built at this time by Brad- 
shaw Hall, who afterwards removed to Castine and 
was Register of Deeds At this time, also. Esquire 
Merrill traded in the store located on the brick school 
house lot. 

In the autumn of 1806, a new store was opened in 
the building now occupied by John Stokell (since burnt 
down and rebuilt.) It was the firm of Andrews, Ware 
& Dean. The trade at that time was almost wholl}^ 
barter, being an exchange ot provisions, West India, 
English and Domestic goods, of which rum formed a 
very impoiiant article, for oak hogshead and barrel 
staves, rift clapboards and shingles, spruce knees, 
cord wood and bark. 

An idea of the providence of the country people at 
that time may be obtained by the following anecdote, 
related by one of the first traders. He said that a man 
from Monroe, which was then called Lee, used to bring 
him corn in the fall to exchange for goods as long as 
his corn lasted, and, knowing that he would want it 
all back in the spring, he used to put it by itself, and 
when the man came to be a purchaser of corn he sold 
him the same corn for $1.00 per bushel that he had 



lo HISTORY OF FRANKFORT. 

paid him 75c. for. The profit of the transaction to the 
producer after transporting his corn both ways, with 
no roads, perhaps it would be difficult to calculate. 

The roads here in 1806 were anything but turnpikes 
judging by a description of them by a gentleman who 
landed here at that time. He said that on the first 
day of his arriving he left his horse, which he had 
brought with him, to himself, and being very busy 
during the day in landing his effects, did not think of 
him again until night, when on looking for him he 
was not to be found. He went in search of him and 
followed the main road up as far as where James Haley 
lives, and there the road was so obstructed by pine 
stumps and roots running across it above the ground 
he came to the conclusion that no horse could get 
farther in that direction. 

A gentleman who was engaged in trade at that time 
has given me the prices of some articles in which he 
dealt. 

Such sheetings as now sell from eight to ten cents 
were then sold at forty or fifty cents per yard; molasses 
75 to 87 1-2 cents; Souchong tea $1.00 per lb.; coffee 
25 to 30 cents; clear pork 25 cents; ginger 33 1-3 cents; 
saleratus 30 cents and nutmegs 9 pence (12 1-2 cents) 
apiece. 

He sa^^s that Gov. Porter, as he is familiarly called, 
kept an old horse with which he hauled or twitched 
out spruce knees, which he exchanged for goods as 
his necessities demanded, and he had done it so re- 
peatedly that the old horse learned the business as 



HISTORY OF FRANKFORT. ii 

well as his master and frequently came alone and 
stopped in front of his store with his load. 

At this period the only school house was at the 
Marsh; the school in this village was kept in part of 
A. ly. Kelley's house. 

There was occasionally preaching by a missionary 
in private houses. Father Sawyer sometimes preached; 
there were also some native preacheis; sometimes 
barns were converted into meeting houses for a 
Sabbath. Elder Adam Grant was one of the native 
preachers who sometimes held forth in the Sampson 
barn. What the effect of his preaching was upon his 
human auditors has not been handed dowy^ but on 
o.ne occasion he halooed so load that he terrified a calf 
to that degree that he jumped out of the barn window, 
took to the woods, and was not recovered for a w^eek. 

At this time Bangor was not essentially larger than 
Frankfort, and contained but three or four stores. 
Bucksport had somewhat the start of it. Belfast was 
about equal to Bucksport. Castine was the principal 
place of trade on the river. It was not until about 
the 3^ear 1807 that an ox wagon was imported into 
tow^n; previous to that time there had never been any 
wheels seen here. When the snow went off in the 
spring the countr}^ people brought their lumber to 
market on a kind of vehicle that has entirely dis- 
appeared, and therefore wnll need a description. It 
consisted of two long poles with rungs like a ladder, 
an open space being left at one end for the horse, the 
other dragging on the ground. The forward end of 



12 ITIvSTORY OF FRANKFORT. 

the poles entered rings in the harness and were fasten- 
ed there by pins. This carriage was called a car. The 
collars used were made of twisted hay. A gentleman 
who traded here at that time, says he has known eight 
or ten of these cars to come out loaded in the morning 
and, while their masters were taking their dram in 
the store, the horses would get hungry and fall to eat- 
ing up each other's collars. If one of the owners 
happened to discover that his horse was losing his 
collar, he would perhaps commence beating his neigh- 
bor's horse; this would bring his master to the spot, 
and he would resent the insult offered his horse by 
laying it.onto the man; soon all hands would be en- 
gaged in the melee, and it would end in a regular 
turkey fight. After administering and receiving black 
eyes and bloody noses sufficient to satisfy themselves, 
they would call for more liquor, and this wonder 
working beverage, which can make men cool in a hot 
day, or warm in a cold one, had the same double 
power of making men quarrelsome, or changing the 
"lion to the lamb." After effecting a peace in this 
way they would start for home the best of friends. 

John Kempton built the first vessel at Oak Point; 
she was called the Cynthia — 115 tons. Capt. Grant 
owned a small vessel called the Mamy Grant. Tobias 
Oakman owned a sloop. In 1807 ^ vessel was built 
by Andrews, Ware & Dean called the Orion — 112 tons. 
In 1806 a large ship of 700 tons burthen loaded with 
timber for I^iverpool opposite the Rankin place, (now 
McGrath's.) 



HISTORY OF FRANKFORT. 13 

111 1806 Tlioriidike, Sears and Prescott, of Boston, 
having bought out the Ten Proprietors, came down 
here and made the first bargain with the settlers. Un- 
til now they had been squatters, they had settled upon 
a lot of land and commenced improvements without 
any permission. They offered the settlers the land 
for two dollars an acre, or offered to give half of their 
farms; if the}^ would buy up the rest. Most of them 
preferred to purchase, and the first deeds were given 
in 1809. 

After Prospect was set off, the town meetings were 
held in tlifferent buildings in this village until a 
school-house was built. Blaisdell's store, Sampson's 
store and McGlathry's stores were used at difterent 
times for this purpose; none of these buildings are 
now in existence. In 1805 the old school-house was 
built, located where Joseph Moody's house now stands. 

Sometime during the earl}' period of the settlement 
of this town, two boys in going to Mt. Ephraim, in 
Prospect, round Mt. Waldo, which was then an entire 
wilderness, lost their wa}' in a snow storm and perished 
on the western side of the mountain, where they were 
afterwards found locked in each other's arms. P^roiii 
this circumstance the mountain received the name of 
Mt. Miser}'. In 1811 a large part}' of ladies and gentle- 
men from this village visited the mountain on horse- 
back, and agreeing among themselves that the moun- 
tain deserved a better name, one of the company, (A. 
Jones. Esq.,) ascended a tree, l)roke a bottle and 
named it Mount Waldo. This name was selected on 



14 HISTORY OF FRANKFORT. 

account of its being the highest land in the county of 
Waldo. 

So late as this period the only riding carriage here 
was a chaise owned by Esquire McGlathry with square 
standing top; the firs-t riding wagon was introduced 
sometime during the late war, those in first use were 
by no means such comfortable carriages as we have 
now; they had no springs, the bod}^ resting on the 
axle. 

The year 1814 is memorable for the visit paid our 
jiver by a British fleet. It was in the month of Sep- 
tember that the enemy took possession of Castine,and 
the same day the news of the event reached this place. 
It was expected that the enemy would immediately 
ascend the river with the intention of capturing the 
John Adams, an American frigate then lying at Hamp. 
den. To meet the emergency, the militia were called 
out, and a watch kept during the night. Soldiers 
were stationed as sentries at intervals along by the 
river, with orders to bring to all boats that might be 
ascending the river and inquire into their business. 
One boat belonging in Orrington containing three 
or four men, not answering when hailed, was fired 
upon; the shot fell into the water and did no harm. It 
had the effect however, of bringing them to and when 
their destination was known they were allowed to pass. 
The next morning the enemy's fleet was seen coming 
up the bay with a moderate breeze. Many of the 
people at the marsh -had assembled on Beale Mt., 
from whence they looked down upon them with intense 



HISTORY OF FRANKFORT. 15 

anxiety. As they came fanning along they kept boats 
out ahead to sound the way, sometimes using their 
barges manned by eighteen oars to tow their ships. 

Sometime previous to this there had been brought 
into the river a vessel taken as a prize, loaded with 
cocoa, named the Kertusorf. Her valuable cargo had 
been sold at auction, being bid off by Boston gentle- 
men. One of the purchasers was Mr. .Thorndike, one 
of the Ten Proprietors, who happened to be here. 
This cocoa was discharged into the McGlathry store 
and the vessel sent up river. 

As soon as news was received that the British had 
captured Castine, and were expected up the river, 
teams were employed in removing the cocoa to Camp- 
bell's hill, where it was stored. They were actively 
engaged in the business that night and the next morn- 
ing until the fleet was in the river, when it was thought 
prudent to desist, though it had not all been removed. 
During the night, Mr. Richard Thurston's store — the 
building now occupied by Mr. Wm. Holmes (the lot 
where Moody's cooper shop now stands) had been 
used as a place of rendezvous for the men employed 
as a watch during the night and the next morning as 
the fleet came along seeing armed men in the road by 
the store, they fired an eighteen lb. shot which passed 
till o ugh a window in the second storj^ on the back 
side, came out of a window on the front side, passed 
through a shed attached to A. L. Kelly's hou.se and 
struck the ground in McClathry's field, not far from 
some females who had gone there for safety. This 







o 
o 

m 

h 

o 

p 
p 
o 



HISTORY OF FRANKFORT. 17 

• 

shot was intended to disperse the warlike demonstra- 
tions on the road, and it had the desired effect, for the 
soldiers scattered with great agility, being only im- 
peded by tumbling over one another in their great 
anxiety to place themselves out of danger, and were 
soon lost sight of in the direction of the woods. It was 
now feared a regular cannonading would ensue, and 
the inhabitants began to seek places of safety for 
themselves. Perhaps the excitement which prevailed 
may be best shown by an anecdote. Those who lived 
upon Shaw's hill, fearing from their position that they 
were peculiarly exposed, collected their women and 
children and hurried them off in a bod}^ to the house 
now occupied by John Oakman (this house was back 
Northwest of the cemetery. ) One gentleman who had 
got his blood very warm in the business and his mind 
abstracted in the excitement caught up a thin pair of 
pantaloons as he was leaving his house which he 
exchanged on the march for the thick ones he had on 
without being aware of it at the time or having any 
recollection of it afterwards; though of course so singu- 
lar a proceeding did not pass unnoticed by the rest of 
1he company. 

No more shots were fired, and as the ships passed 
along they seemed desirious of exciting admiration 
rather than fear. On the decks the troops in rich uni- 
form, were arranged so as to show to best advantage. 
The yards were covered with marines in uniform also, 
the fleet consisted of three large vessels, two of them 
sloops of war accompanied by smaller vessels, trans- 



i8 IIIvSTORY OF FRANKFORT. 

• 

ports and gun boats, the whole making an imposing 
and beautiful show, and only wanting to be divested 
of the idea of war and bloodshed to call forth feelings 
of admiration and delight. 

The troops from the fleet were landed this side of 
the Cove, where they made their encampment for the 
night converting the neighboring houses into barracks. 
The next morning a regiment of Militia of about seven 
hundred men had been collected at Hampden, (most 
of them had been under arms the day previous) and 
were posted on the hill by the old meeting-house. 
Capt. Morris, who commanded the frigate John Adams 
lying at the wharf where he intrenched himself, in- 
tending to make a desperate resistance. He also de- 
tached his first lieutenant ...with an eighteen pounder 
to assist the land force. This piece was planted in the 
road by the meeting house and supported the right 
wing of the infantry, the left extending in two lines 
down towards the river. A picket guard had been 
stationed during the night on the road leading to the 
Cove, to watch the movements of the enemy. The 
morning was very foggy which allowed the enemy to 
advance upon the guard so closely that some ot them 
were taken prisoners at the lower corner. One of the 
prisoners was Tobias Oakman of this town. 

As the British advanced they put their prisoners in 
front of the column which is one of the expedients the 
cruelty of war allows to defend themselves. As they 
ascended the hill after passing the bridge, the field- 
piece opened its fire upon them, killing and wounding 



HISTORY OF FRANKFORT. 19 

several. This occasioned some confusion in their 
ranks, which the prisoners took advantage of to 
attempt their escape. Tobias Oakman, attempting 
this, was shot through the head and killed instantly, 
two others were more successful, one of the men ran 
behind a barn and got off, another fell down feigning 
death until the column passed over him, and then 
escaped. 

Gen. Blake gave strict orders that no one should 
fire until they could see the enemy. The British on 
the contrary commenced a galling fire from behind a 
board fence which they had taken as a cover causing 
several in our ranks to fall. This our men could not 
stand, some here and there broke from the ranks and 
fled. This became more and more frequent, and soon 
the whole body was precipitately retreating in great 
confusion, amounting to a complete rout, some of 
them not having seen the enemy at all. 

Capt. Morris, as soon as he knew the Americans 
were defeated spiked his guns, sent his men round a 
point of land in his boats to join the retreating soldiers 
remaining behind, himself to apply the match which 
blew up his vessel, thereby narrowly escaping being 
taken prisoner. 

A knowledge of the facts in the case must lead to 
the conclusion that the defeat of Hampden was not as 
is generally supposed, disgraceful to our arms. In the 
first place it is never to be supposed that a body of 
men collected together with barely a day's notice, 
poorly equipped, without drill or discipline, officered 



20 HISTORY OF FRANKFORT. 

by men without practical knowledge, the men having 
no confidence in their officers, nor the officers in ^heir 
men, can contend successfully with an equal body of 
men who have been instructed in the necessar}' evolu- 
tions for years, desperate men who have deliberate- 
ly enlisted, commanded b}' officers who have made 
war the study of their lives. A case of successful 
opposition under such circumstances is probabl}^ not 
on record. The great mistake then, was in attempting 
to resist at all unless a much larger and better drilled 
army could have been collected. 

Again the only chance of success was allowed to 
pass_, this was the night previous. Gen Herrick, who 
was then commander of the cavalry, requested per- 
mission to go with a few hundred men and surprise 
them in their encampment. This request Gen. Blake 
refused to grant. Under cover of a dark, foggy night, 
it might have been successful. 

A mistake was made in occupying the brow of the 
hill where our men could be seen by the eneni}^ before 
they themselves were visible on account of the fog. 
No discredit can attach to the men composing our 
force for they acted as all other men in the circum- 
stances would have acted. Much blame has been 
attached to Gen. Blake and no doubt he erred greatly 
in judgment, particularly in supposing that new militia 
w^ould stand a fire without breaking and not permitted 
to return it; but the charges which have been alleged 
against him of bein^ bribed, and of cowardice, are not 
sustained. Those who knew him well say he was in- 



HIvSTORV OF FRANKFORT. 21 

capable of either. He was in the Revolutionary war; 
and was promoted to the rank of lieutenant for his 
braver}'. At one time he, with a few men, captured 
some British officers who were at the time playing 
cards in a piivate house, and carried them into the 
American lines. He was afterwards Captain of a 
company, in the armj' raised under John Adams' ad- 
ministration, in apprehension of a war with France. At 
the time of the engagement at Hampden he lived at 
Bast Orrington, and was somewhat advanced in life. 
He has died within a few years aged more than 80, 
(this history was written in 1844.) 

The enenn^ having possession of the place, committed 
many acts of wantoness in revenge for opposition the}' 
had met with, as breaking crocker}', spilling molasses 
over the -floors and mixing ashes with it, grinding up 
feather beds in a grist mill, etc., etc. It however 
relieves somewhat the dark page of histor}' devoted 
to scenes of war, to record some deeds of humanity. 

The wounded of our soldiers who could not be carried 
off the field in their hasty retreat fell into the hands of 
the eneni}' but were treated with great kindness, their 
wounds were dressed by their own surgeons and their 
wants well provided for. The wounded in all were 
thirteen, three of them from this town. John Carlcton 
of this town, was shot down by a musket-ball in the 
thigh. He was partly carried off the field by his 
comrades, then dropped, he expostulated, but they 
answered we cannot help and left him to his fate while 
they sought their own safety by flight. He crawled 



22 



HIvSTORY OF FRANKFORT. 



through a ftiice into a corn field, where he lay some 
hours when he was found much exhausted • by loss 
oi l)lood, by a British who gave him wine from his 
canteen and removed him to a house where his wounds 
were dressed. 

In the morning before the action Solomon Tibbetts, 
of this town, was going to join the ranks when he saw 
a compan}'- marching on the street, which he took to 
be a company sent out from the American lines to re- 
connoitre . They were dressed in a handsome uniform 
with green jackets and high caps, and these were in 
reality a German company composing the vanguard 
of the British army. 

He stood looking at them until they had got nearly 
by him, when he heard one of them say, "there's an 
enemy," with a pronunciation he knew was not Yankee, 
then he .started to run and as he passed them, the 
whole company, twenty in number fired at him without 
hitting him. The men then wanted to follow him with 
the bayonet but the Captain said "No, let the poor 
fellow live after running such a gauntlet as that." 

The British fleet was up river six or eight days 
during which time they visited Bangor. On their way 
back, they anchored off this place, took in water, and 
made demand for provisions. They were furnished 
with ten oxen, about thirty sheep, potatoes and other 
vegetables. These were brought forward on the 
assurance from the selectmen, that they should be 
paid for by the town, but when a town meeting was 
held, it was decided that the selectmen had transcend- 



HIvSTORY OF FRANKFORT. 23 

ed their powers and those who had furnished provisions 
had to bear their own loss. The Penobscot Indians 
followed the fleet down as far as this and camped on 
the opposite side of the river, expecting to be employed 
by the British in committing depredations, but here 
they were told that their services would not be required, 
and they returned home. Capt. Little was the greatest 
sufferer from the British here. He had a brig loaded 
with timber, which they took away with them and 
sent to Liverpool. 

On their passage down the river, the sloop S3dph 
got aground on Haley's Point, (near the steam mill) 
where she discharged a quantit}^ of cannon balls to 
lighten her. These were taken possession of by some 
of the people at the Marsh and were quite valuable. 

Not long after the British had taken their departure, 
they sent up here a sloop under the protection of a flag 
of truce, demanding the cocoa which had been hauled 
into the countr}'. That at first deposited at Campbell's 
Mills had been sent farther into the country. Some of 
it to Thorndike farm in Jackson, some was stored at 
Livermore's in Monroe, some at Lowe's in Goshen. 
They immediatel}^ commenced hauling it ba-ck, where 
Liet. Morse with about twenty armed soldiers, being 
routed at Eastport where he was stationed came 
through at Hampden. Hearing of this vessel he came 
down, went on board where he found a chest of arms 
which deprived her of the protection of a peace flag. 
He threw overboardthe cocoa she had taken in, set the 
vessel on fire and cut her adrift. vShe floated up stream 



24 HISTORY OF FRANKFORT. 

enveloped in flames, and soon burned to the water's 
edge. The Lieut, immediately took his departure 
carrying off her crew as prisoners. This bold act took 
our people by surprise, and filled them with great 
consternation. They feared the enemy would send a 
force and committ atrocities similar to those committed 
at Hampden. Many of the families moved into the 
back part of the town, and most sent off their house- 
hold goods, losing half their crockery intransportation. 
Some barreled up their crockery and burned it in their 
gardens, man}^ secured their silver spoons and other 
most valuable articles in this way. A deputation was 
immediately sent to Castine to state the facts concern- 
ing the burning of the vessel and to assure them that 
the people of this town had no part in the transaction. 
Upon first receiving information of it, Gen. Goslin 
ordered out six hundred troops which our commissioners 
took as a bad omen, but they succeeded in pacifying 
the Gen. and in satisfying him that our people were 
not to blame in the affair. 

From the time the cocoa was first landed, the people 
generally seemed to regard it as lawful plunder, and 
few felt any compunctions in taking it wherever they 
could find it. When it was on the waj^ to Campbell's 
a good man}^ bags were filched from the carts, and 
after it was stored they would break into the buildings 
and steal it by night. Mr. Daniel Campbell had a 
quantity of it stored in his dwelling house, which for 
safe keeping, when the English officer was expected 
to demand it, he hid in the woods, every bag of which 



HISTORY OF FRANKFORT. 25 

was carried off. 

Sometimes a man would be riding along with a bag 
of it on his horse behind him, when another would 
come up, seize it, and make off in an opposite direction. 
One man from the back part of the town, stationed 
himself near the wharf as the teams came out loaded 
by night, and as they passed he would snatch a bag 
and hide it in a field of oats near where Edward Fer- 
nald's store is (now Mrs. A. E. Treat's.) In this way 
he had secured several bags and had gone for another 
when someone who had been watching him, carried 
off his booty, and he was obliged to go home without 
any cocoa. At the time the cocoa was thrown* over- 
board from the vessel ever5^body there was welcome 
to all he could carry off, several boats were loaded; in 
one case the}' threw it into a boat until the owner 
begged them to stop, or they would sink him. When 
the vessel was burned, there were several loads on the 
road, which of course was supposed did not belong to 
any one in particular, and this scattered in all direc- 
tions, while they were hauling the teamsters felt jus- 
tified in taking their pay out of their loads, as they 
were not paid in any other way and one of them if no 
more, hauled his load to his own barn instead of the 
vessel and buried it in his hay-mow. After peace was 
declared, the owners in Boston sent down an agent to 
hunt up their cocoa, and search warrants were pro- 
duced to seek for it. Some of it was recovered, but a 
great deal was never found; it was scattered in all 
possible ways. In some cases the floors were removed 



26 HISTORY OF FRANKFORT. 

to make a safe deposit and replaced; one old lady out- 
witted the officer when he came by putting it in the 
pot over the fire. After the search was over it was 
offered very plentifully for sale. One man who had 
been very diligent, got a horse and peddled it round 
the country for six months. It found its way even 
to the Kennebec. 

These facts are recorded because they are matters 
of history. It were to be wished for the credit of our 
town that they had never transpired; there were men, 
however, here, who would have n.othing to do in the 
business, and who discountenanced all the proceedings 
altoge^ther. The only excuse which can be offered to 
palliate such conduct^ is that the cocoa was taken 
from the enemy, and would again fall into their hands, 
if not taken possession of. It is one of the thousand 
evils attending the dreadful scourge of war, the feeling 
of enmity and hostility blunts the moral sense and 
renders obtuse those faculties which under other cir- 
cumstances would discriminate between right and 
wrong. That it was a thievish propensity alone that 
prompted these acts, is showed by the fact that Major 
Ware sent as many as fifty barrels of pickeled fish a 
mile or two back and had them rolled into a gull}" not 
far from the public road, where they remained scarce- 
ly depredated upon for sometime. 

One other incident connected with this war deserves 
to be recorded in which some of the citizens of this- 
town manifested great bravery. The Rertusorf which 
was taken with the cocoa, wa^ broughc inherebyCap^ 



HISTORY OF FRANKFORT. 



27 



Alexander Milliken of this place, who was put on 
board her as prize master. He afterwards commaned 
a Privateer fitted out at Thomaston which returned 
from her cruise without any success. Six of her crew 
three of them from this town, Isaac Milliken, Joseph 
Ellingwood, and Thomas Seavey, being dissatisfied 
with this result, went out in an open boat and cap- 
tured a rich prize off Castine and carried her into 
Camden. This daring act was but poorly rewarded 
Justice should have given the prize to her captors, 
but the owners of the privateer by a protracted and 
expensive lawsuit succeeded in cutting them off with 
only their share as privateersmen. 



A 






^ HISTORICAL SKETCHES. •:•:• 




30 HISTORICAL SKETCHES. 



The Discovery of the Penobscot 

River. 

By A. Jones, Esq. 

Penobscot Bay and river were first discovered in 

1605 by Capt. Geo. Weymouth from England with 

the ship Archangel who first made Monhegan, and 

thence sailing with his ship up on the wCvSt side of 

Long Island, as far as may be considered the head of 

the Bay, anchored his ship and with his boat, shallop 

as he called it, with seventeen men ascended the river 

proper, as he judged twenty miles. Capt. Weymouth 

considering the Bay on the east side of Long Island 

as part of a great river, says he passed up the river 

with a gentle breeze sixty miles from Penobscot harbor, 

as he named the first harbor he made. He said any 
man might conceive with what admiration they all 

consented. Many who had travelled in sundry count- 
ries and most famous rivers, affirmed them not to be 
comparable to this. He said he would not prefer it 
before England's richest treasure, the river Thames, 
but they all wished those excellent harbors, good 
depths, convenient breadths, and good holding ground, 
to be as well there as they found them here. — 
He would boldly affirm it to be the most beautiful. 



HISTORICAL. SKETCHES. 31 

large and secure harboring river the world afforded, 
furnishing more good harbors for ships of all burdens 
than all England. 

In 1629 a patent intended to embrace thirty miles in 
width on both sides of the Penobscot, was made to 
Beauchamp and Eeverett in joint tenantry. As sur- 
vivor Eeverett became sole owner. By the laws of 
England, through the eldest sons, the whole patent 
wasinheritedbyPresidentEeverettof Harvard College, 
great grandson of the patentee. 

President Eeverett by deed divided the patent into 
ten shares, granting one share to a descendant of Gov. 
Bradford to extinguish some interfering claim, one to 
Spencer Phipps, son of Gov. Phipps who for a hat full 
of silver, had bought of Medarawando the Indian title 
and the other eight shares to his sons-in-law. In con- 
sideration of certain settling duties, those ten who had 
assumed the name of the Ten Proprietors, conveyed 
100,000 acres including Camden, to a company that 
took the name of "The Twenty Associates." 

As time advanced, danger arose that the title to the 
patent would be vacated for some defect. General 
Waldo was sent to England to get the patent confirmed. 
On a settlement with Waldo for advances and services 
the Ten Proprietors surrendered to him all their 
interest in the patent, reserving only 100,000 acres to 
be run out. About 1760 under Gov. Pownal, Gen. 
Waldo with a company of soldiers commenced build- 
ing a fort at Fort Point. The father of Ebenezer 
Blaisdell of Frankfort, and the father of Samuel Jelli- 



32 HISTORICAL SKETCHES. 

son, of Monroe, were two of th© soldiers. From an 
accident that happened to him in a boat at a cape near 
the fort the name of Jellison will go down to posterity. 
While building the fort with a partj^ of soldiers, 
Jellison being of them, Waldo in a vessel sailed as far 
up Penobscot river as he could, landed on the east 
side, and at or near what is called Eddington Bend, 
fixed in the earth a roll of sheet lead with inscriptions 
claiming so far, as within his patent. On his return 
Waldo died suddenly, but not where he planted the 
lead as tradition has it. I am the more sure I had the 
account correct from Jellison, on account of some 
verses he repeated to me as made atthe time by a wag. 
Some of which I remember. About Waldo he said: 
"'J'here he lies, but how he fares 
Nobody knows, and nobody cares." 
As to so much of the patent as fell east of the river, 
one line was accidentally omitted in the description, 
which left it so indefinite that no land was held on 
that side. In 1772, by one Chadwick as Surveyor, 
100,000 acres were run out, marked and bounded for 
the Ten Proprietors, bounded on the south by what is 
now the south line of Frankfort extending north so as 
to include all Hampden and much, perhaps all of 
Bangor. Next year the front lots were all marked off 
fifty rods wide on the river, and a headline run aver- 
aging one mile from the river. 

Except the wife of Gen. Knox and one of the name 
of Waldo, all the heirs of Waldo were tories in the 
Revolutionary war and left the country. Their shares 



HISTORICAL SKETCHES. 33 

were confiscated, and bought in by Gen. Knox. 

After the war was over, on the application of Gen. 
Knox, his title was confirmed, and the limits of the 
Waldo patent defined, and settled in such a manner 
that more than half of the land that had been run out 
for the "Ten Proprietors" fell without the patent. To 
gain their assent and indemnify the "Ten Proprietors," 
Gen. Knox gave his bond; and having bought in some 
of the shares in that company, was elected to be clerk. 
After that the bond was never found. The end of the 
matter was, that under the ten grantees of President 
Eeverett a tract intending to embrace thirt}^ miles 
wide on both sides of Penobscot river, embraced only 
about 43,000 acres including what is now Frankfort 
and some of Swanville and Monroe. 




5-4 HISTORICAL SKKTCHKS. 



Grand Jubilee at Winterport! 

A WHOLE NIGHT DEVOTED TO REJOICING. 

(From the Baugor Daily Evening Times,) 
Tuesday, April 3, 1860. 



On Wednesday evening, March 28, according to a 
previous programme, the citizens of our new town, 
with numerous invited friends and guests, celebrated 
its birth. During the day flags were set upon the 
flag-staffs, and the shipping in port showed all their 
bunting. Across Commercial street, in front of Clark's 
hall, where the ball came off, a flag depended bearing 
"Wintkrport" on its tail end, and in front of the 
Commercial House in the evening was a transparency, 
"Winterport, t86o." In fact it was Winterport all 
about town, and enthusiasm rose on tip-toe during 
the day, and got upon stilts during the night. Even 
the dumb creation seemed conscious that something 
more than usual was astir, and the very dogs, not less 
than their masters, wagged their tails with joy. 

With the approach of evening the citizens began to 
assemble at the Commercial House, which was soon 
filled. It was brilliantly illuminated, and the count- 
enances of the crowd beamed with smiles. At the 
same time^ also, the dancers began to repair to Clark's 
hall, which was in excellent order and handsome!}^ 
decorated, and coiinected with the hotel by an ample 



HISTORICAL, SKETCHES. 35 

walk, by which the convenience and comfort of the 
company, ebbing and flowing between the two great 
centres of attraction in waves of manly strength and 
female grace and beauty, were greatly facilitated. 
The company of dancers was large, embracing repre- 
sentations of all classes of citizens, and enticing into 
their whirl many who had never danced before. 

The ladies were out in full force and in tasteful 
attire, with brows enwreathed with smiles for Winter- 
port. The music, which was under the direction of 
P. C. Crane, of Frankfort, assisted by the Messrs. 
Ames, of Bucksport, and Mr. Geo. S. Silsby, of Win- 
terport, w^as highly creditable to these artists. The 
managers, Messrs. Rich, Atwood and Fernald, of 
Winterport, and D. Fernald, of Frankfort, acquitted 
themselves in a manner worth}^ of all praise, and made 
the dance go merrily enough. 

Meantime all was life and animation at the Commer- 
cial House, where the rooms were filled with a happy 
crowd, enjo34ng themselves in social conversation, 
plays, etc. At 12 o'clock supper was announced, 
when the capacit}- of mine host, Johnson, was never 
seen or tasted to better advantage, although he ever 
enjoyed a reputation second to no landlord for many 
miles around. Fowl, choice .meats, fruits and con- 
fections of the choicest, and in profusion, were artist- 
ically and temptingl}^ arrayed, and withstood the siege 
of hunger's great artillery from three fresh battalions 
of appreciating feeders, so great was the company 
present. 



36 HISTORICAL SKETCHES. 

The festive exercises were also interspersed with 
speeches from Messrs. R. A. Rich, the Representative 
of Frankfort in the last Legislature, Otis Kaler, Esq., 
Hon. N. H. Hubbard, S. W. Merrill, Esq., of Frank- 
tort, B. B. Thomas, Esq., Representative in the last 
Legislature from Newburg, who efficientl}^ aided in 
the Winterport cause, and several others. 

REMARKS OF R. A. RICH, ESQ. 

Ladies and Gentleinen:—! am happy to see you this 
evening under such auspicious circumstances. 

We have met to celebrate the consummation of an 
event which we have long ardently desired, and it is 
eminently proper that you should feel grateful for so 
favorable a termination of the struggle — grateful to 
your friends here and elsewhere, who, knowing your 
rights, dared to defend them. This result has been 
obtained by long continued and persistent effort. 
It has cost many hard days' work, many sleepless 
nights, as well as much money. But it is at last 
accomplished, and we meet to celebrate the incorpo- 
ration of the town of Winterport. In my efforts the 
past winter, I labored to promote, as I believed, the 
interest of Frankfort as well as of Winterport. But 
perhaps the citizens of Frankfort are not prepared to 
appreciate my labors as you do this evening. But I 
believe the time will come when they will rise up and 
call those blessed that havfc been instrumental in sev- 
ering the ties that bound us together. We have not 
accomplished all that we desired. We were loth to 
part company with some in the old town of Frankfort, 



HISTORICAL SKETCHES. 37 

and we now say to them, that we hope the time is not 
far distant when we shall be permitted to extend to 
them a brother's hand and a brother's welcome within 
the limits of Winterport. I am pleased to see some of 
them with us this evening, and in the name of this 
company, I bid them welcome, and in conclusion I 
will give you the following: 

Thk Friends of Winterport — They can manifest 
their interest in her welfare in no better way than by 
studying to promote harmony among all her citizens. 

REMARKS BY OTIS KALER. 

Ladies and OenUemen:—^^ have met together this 
evening to celebrate the organization of the town of 
Winterport. Many of us enlisted in this enterprise 
some ten years since. In 185 1 a petition was present- 
ed to the Legislature praying for the same line that 
we petitioned for this 3'ear, as well as last, but the 
Legislature, or I should have said the Senate, saw fit 
to give us this line, and sever our village. Still we 
feel thankful for a part, feeling that to be the way to 
get more. We have thus far succeeded in our endeavors, 
and feel to rejoice in our success, which is demonstrated 
by the gathering here this evening. While we surround 
this festal board, with hearts overflowing with grati- 
tude, we should not forget cur friends in the lower 
part of the village, who are separated from us by this 
line. They have labored shoulder to shoulder with 
us, to luring about a division of the town, hoping 
thereby to save it from bankruptC3^ but they remain 
in Frankfort still, to be goaded a time longer; and 



38 HISTORICAL SKETCHES. 

while we feel to rejoice, a very different feeling pervade.s 
their hearts. No doubt they feel gratified that a portion 
are free; but vStill many of them feel sad at the thought 
that a town line should separate them from their 
friends. But they have everything to hope for in the 
future. The annexation of this village must be effected 
at no distant day. But I am admonished that I must 
be brief, as there are others who are waiting to partake 
of the bounties of mine host, and will close with the 
following: 

Our Friends, in thk Lower Vileage, who are 
vSEPARATED BY THE TOWN EiNE — May their watch- word 
be annexation; and may they never cease to echo it, 
until the}' shall accomplish their purpose. 

Mr. Merrill, of Frankfort, returned his heartfelt 
thanks for the kind and warm reception which had 
welcomed him and other friends from Frankfort, and 
gave the following sentiment: 

WiNTERPORT — May her citizens always live in per- 
fect harmony, and ma}'- her soil be ^wRiehed b}- her 
peace loving citizens; and may it bring forth, ^^ear 
after year, something better than Chick-w^^d. 

This sentiment was followed bj^ three cheers for 
Frankfort. 

We regret that we were called away, and lost the 
remarks of Hon. N. H. Hubbard, B. B. Thomas, 
and others. 

Letters were also read, in response to invitations, 
from Hon. Josiah H. Drummond, of Waterville. 
Senator in the last Legislarure, M. R. Ludwig, of 



HISTORICAL SKETCHES. 



39 



Thomaston, H. G. Cole, of Manchester, and Timothy 
Rowell, of Vassalboro, Representatives in the same, 
J. A. Peters, of Bangor, and others, all expressing 
their best wishes for the prosperity of the new town. 

At 3 o'clock A. M., Thursday, the few sleepers of 
Winterport were aroused by the firing of a grand 
salute and the ringing of bells, whose echoes probably 
broke in upon the slumbers of the neighboring towns. 

At 5 o'clock, "night's candles" and the kerosene at 
Clark's hall having burnt out together, the weary- 
legged dancers repaired to the hotel to engage in the 
remaining amusements, which were terminated b^^ a 
refreshing breakfast for such whose enthusiasm and 
strength lasted till that hour. Thus ended the cele- 
bration of Winterport' s inauguration, which all wdio 
participated in it will long remember as the event of a 
lifetime. 




40 HISTORICAL SKETCHES. 



The Vexed Question Settled. 



(Progressive Age, March 29, 1872.) 

Differences having existed between the two tribes 
dwelling on the Passagassawaukeag river, and that 
part of the Penobscot above the "narrers" known as 
Winterportj as to the superiority of their respective 
ports in the winter season, also as to their rights and 
privileges touching clams and tom-cods, it was re- 
solved in the general council of the Winterport tribe, 
that a delegation of their chief men should be sent to 
the "Waukeag" tribe with a proposition to form with 
the chief men of that tribe, a Joint High Commission 
to settle all matters in dispute. The following chiefs 
were accordingly appointed: 

Ham-Cu-Shan, — Sec'y of the Interior. 

Fatwood, — Com. of Agriculture. 

Villiam-De-La-Way, — Com. on Interior Waters. 

Ec-A-RyK, — Lord Mayor. 

Bkn-Jam-Tomson, — Lord High Admiral. 

Louis-Hailik, — Capt. Horse Marines. 

A-EfurneIvL, — Sec'y of War. 

Aitch-Z-Chapmun, — G. H. Steward. 

T0EBKK-H01.T, — Chief Police. , 

Toot-Kkain, — Dep. 



HIvSTORICAL SKETCHEvS. 41 

Jhon- Fatwood, — Heirapparent. 

JhoK-Klkark, — Eord H. K. of the Seal. 

Sledges were immediately got in readiness, and, on 
Tuesday, the distinguished Commissioners set out on 
their journey. On their leaving, a dispatch was sent, 
appropriately directed to the chief marshal of the 
Waukeag tribe, advising him of the fact, and bespeak- 
ing for them a hospitable welcome. He was apprised 
that, in consequence of no arrivals from the warmer 
regions, the tribe were short of supplies, and the 
"inards" of the Commissioners would need nourish- 
ment. That as their most natural tood was blubber 
meat, a large supply of that would be necessary. He 
was further urged to provide for their spirifual wants, 
which would undoubtedly be great. On their wa}^ the 
commissioners tarried for a short time at the chief vill- 
age of a small -but spunky tribe, the Nathan-Barnabas 
tribe. The}^ were received with high honor. Flags 
heralded their coming, and the chiefs received them 
warmly, treating them on cider juice in the original 
packages. On their arrival at "Waukeag," the first 
care was to visit the steamer Cambridge to ascertain 
whether the Winterport supplies on board were not 
suffering evaporation; they having "liearn" that 
frequent parties of the "Waukeags" had been seen 
on board, in the night time, in a hilarious mood. 
The}^ however found Capt. Johnson keeping a sharp 
lookout for Winterport interests. Making a hastj^ 
examination of the Winterport portion of the cargo, 
they were gratified to find that it had not deteriorated 



42 HISTORICAL SKETCHES. 

either in gtmnfifij or strength. Turning their sledges, 
they proceeded to the American House, in and around 
which a large number of ' ' Waukeags" had congregated. 
As their sledges arrived in front, loud cheers of wel- 
come rent the air. Their appearance was somewhat 
grotesque. Their manner of dress bespoke them as 
natives of a cold region; huge over garments made of 
the skins of the seal and polar bear; immense caps of 
fantastic shape encircled their heads; their faces were 
nearly concealed by heavy mustaches, and huge 
moccasins were worn upon their feet. Their sledges 
were of curious make; therunners were a prolongation 
of the thills; into them were mortised rude studs sur- 
mounted by cross bars, and upon these were placed 
seated tops. One had a portion of the top of the old 
''one hoss shay;" another had the unpainted top of a 
half-moon sleigh, which one of the oldest men of the 
tribe commenced to build, upwards of a half centur}^ 
ago, but never made the bottom. The runners of 
these sledges were of a native wood called hornbeam. 
The harnesses of the animals were evidently extem- 
porized. From the thill of one sled a single, large, 
old-fashioned bell depended, and from another a cow- 
bell. 

A board of Commissioners on the part of the "Wau- 
keags" was at once selected, and the Joint Commission 
was formed. Apartments for the sittings were provided 
by landlord Robbins with the necessary supply of U-t- 
watcr, and he hastened to prepare blubber-meat. The 
first point considered by the commissioners was ice; 



HISTORICAL SKETCHES. 43 

first as a hygenic agent applied outwardly and inward- 
ly, especially imvardlij under proper medical restric- 
tions, obtainable at the town Agencies; and, second, 
as a product of our ^'Enchanted Land" and the 
following propositions were finally agreed upon: 

ist. That ice is a blessing to our tribes, and its 
use, especially on 4th of July occasions, is indispen- 
sable; that as a product, it is of great value to our 
state; that merely on account of its interfering tempo- 
rarily with the free navigation of our Penobscot bay 
and harbors it should not be denounced as a nuisance, 
but should rather be regarded as a token of good; and 
that all disrespectful allusions to it should hereafter 
be discountenanced. 

2d. ' That our respective ports or harbors are not riv- 
als; that while a constant open harbor at Winterport 
is essential not only to the happiness of that tribe, but 
also to the happiness and prosperity of the No-rum-be- 
gar tribe, aHat^ "poor Bangor," a constant open port 
at "Waukeag" is not less essential to the happiness 
of that tribe and to the convenience of certain interior 
tribes, known as the Somerset and Piscataquis tribes, 
(the latter of which in the recent legislature expressed 
its longing desire to reach said open port;) and that 
in future, no speeches, dispatches, or editorials tending 
to draw unfavorable comparisons between the two 
ports, ought to be regarded with favor. 

3d. That clams and tom-cods are strictly local in- 
stitutions, and that the members of the respective 
tribes have, under our ger-lori-ous constitution, the 



44 



HISTORICAL vSKETCHES, 



right to manage and dispose of them according to the 
per-inci pies of 'Squatter Sovereignty," and that all 
further agitation concerning them should cease. 

Done at "Waukeag" the 26th day of March, Anno 
Domingo, 1872. 
Signed, &c. 

Upon the conclusion of the above arduous labors, 
the High Commission was informed that blubber- 
meat was ready, and they forthwith repaired to the 
refreshment room; and after satisfying their delicate 
appetites, and indulging in pleasant sallies of wit, 
also of wisdom, they separated to submit their "doin's" 
to their respective tribes. 




HISTORICAL SKETCHES. 45 



THE LEVEE. 

(From The Volunteer, March 12, 1863.) 

The ladies of Winterport and Frankfort have a wide 
and well deserved reputation for good works. At the 
call of duty they always respond cheerfully and ener- 
getically. 

It was, therefore, to be expected of them, that the 
necessities of our gallant soldiers should awaken their 
profound solicitude, and induce them to renewed ac- 
tivity in all projects for their relief. These expecta- 
tions were more than realized in the I^evee in aid of 
the Sanitary Commission, held at Fernald's Hall, 
Frankfort, on the evening of the i8th and igth ult. 
which was remarkably well attended, and a success 
socially and financially. 

The hall, under the tasty and dextrous manipulation 
of the decorative committee, S. W. Merrill, Capts. 
Geo. Lf. Havener and Chas. Grant, assisted bj^ a score 
of our prettiest young ladies, fairly bloomed with 
elegance and beauty. 

The entrance to the hall was appropriately festooned 
with National flags. Entering, the eye first rests upon 
the twin sentiments of Justice, ''Liberty and UnioiV^ in 
evergreen letters, charmingly draped with flags, and 
ornamented with beautiful wreaths, uniquely made of 
parched corn, prettil}' trimmed with the "red white. 



46 HISTORICAL vSKETCHES. 

and blue," contributed by Miss L. C. Gushing, whose 
taste and ingenuity in such ornamental matters is 
unrivaled. 

By a graceful combination of flags over and around 
the speakers' stand the effect was very striking and 
harmonius. 

A large portrait of Washington, decked with mina- 
ture flags, overlooked with paternal dignit}^ the happ}' 
throng, seeming to rest the benign blessing upon the 
enterprise. Over the portrait in semi-circular letters 
of evergreen, was the appropriate appeal, — ^'4 id the 
Soldiers.'''' 

At the right of the dais was the veteran Gen. Scott 
in portrait, represented in his more vigorous youth, 
and on the left a picture representing the "Capture of 
Maj. Andre" set a striking lesson of incorruptible 
patriotism, especially forcible in these days of perjury 
and treason. 

The other extreme of the hall was draped "Big Flag" 
— the "Old Eagle" as ftrociously defiant, as when 
through many a stormy political campaign, he breast- 
ed the tide of treason just then in its flood setting in 
upon us. Several historic national pictures were 
blended with the decorations; and from the center of 
the hall a tastefully decorated chandelier was suspend- 
ed from which was festooned to each end, the national 
pennant. The whole, by common consent acknowledged 
never to have been excelled on au}' previous similar 
occasion. 

The higher sentiments of the soul having been by 



HIvSTORICAL vSKETCHES. 47 

these "strange devices" brought into harmon}^ with 
the objects sought, it was natural that that which 
"ministers to the body as well as the soul" should 
possess absorbing interest. The tables! how could we 
neglect them so long! and what shall we say of them! 
They were patriotically jubilant with the rich abund- 
ance heaped so liberally npon them; they ached with 
joyous plates and platters of animal food, and were 
"tickled almost to death" with luscious fruits and 
choice ''(,011-bous." 

Here men of iron muscle might stock themselves 
with material for deeds of mighty valor; and there 
might be seen delicasies which would deliciously 
agitate the palate of the favorite of the harem. Such 
a tabular testimonial of feminine grace and beautj^ 
would honor a more pretentious communit}^ than ours. 

The entertainment was introduced b}^ a few excellent 
remarks by Hon. T. Gushing, detailing the mission of 
the Sanitary Commission, and defending it from the 
aspersions upon it of semi-secessionists, and hike warm 
unionists. Rev. Mr. Small continued by reading letters 
from the Ami}- eulogizing the Commission, and ex- 
tolling its efforts. 

Mrs. Carrie Chase then sang the "Star Spangled 
Banner" with spirit and good taste; a select choir 
under the leadership of that veteran vocalist, B. B. 
Cushing, Esq., joining in the chorus with grand and 
stirrino^ effect. 

Miss Lizzie Varnej', of Bangor, who had kindly 
consented to aid the entertainment, was then present- 



48 HISTORICAL SKETCHES. 

ed by Mr. T. H. Cusliing, and read the following 
poetic gem: 

THE MOTHERS OF i862, 



They call for "able-bodied meu." 

Now there's our Roger, strong and stout; 

He'd beat his comrades out and out 

In feats of strength and skill — what then? 

What then? — why only this: you see 
He's made of just that sort of stuff 

They want on battle-fields; enough! 

What choice was left for him and me? 

So, when he asked me yesterweek, 

•'Your blessing, mother!" did I heed 

The great sob at my heart, or need 

Another word that he should speak? 

Should I sit down and mope and croon, 

And hug my selfishness, and cry 
"Not him, iny first-born !" no, not I! 

Thank heaven I T:ij)'^ a nobler taiK^ 

And yet I love him liko my life, 

This stalwart, handsome lad of mine ! 

I warrant me, he'll taKe the shine 

Off half who follow drum and fife ! 

Now God forgive me, how I prate! 

Ah, but the mother will leap out 
Whatever folds we wrap about 

Our foolish hearts, or soon or late. 

No doubt 'tis weakness — mother-lip 
Extolling its own flesh and blood; 

A trick of weakly woman liood 

That we should scourge with thon<^' and wiiij); 



HISTORICAIv SKETCHES. 49 

No doubt— and yet I should not dare 

Lay an unloved, cheap ottering 
Upon my country's shrine, nor bring 

Aught but was noble, sweet and fair. 
And so I bring my boy,— too glad 

That lie is worthy, and that I, 
Who bore him once in agony. 

Such glorious recompense have had. 

Take him, my country! he is true 

And brave and good ; his deeds shall tell 
More than my foolish words 'tis well! 

God's love be with the lad and you. 
God's love and care— and when he comes 

Back from the war, and through the street 
The crazy people flock to meet 

My hero, with great shouts, and drums, 

And silver trumpets braying lond, 

And silken banners starry-gay, 
'Twill be to me no prouder day 

Than this; nay, nay nor half so proud. 

And if— God help me— if, instead, 

Tliey flash this word from some red field: 
"His brave, sweet soul, that would not yield. 

Leaped upward, and they wrote him 'deacV— 
I'll turn my white face to the wall. 

And bear my grief as best T may 
For Roger's sake and only say 

"He knoweth best who knoweth all." 

And when the neighbors come to weep. 

Saying, "alas, the bitter blow !" 
I'll answer, nay, dear friends, not so! 

Better my Roger's hero-sleep. 

And nobler far such lot, than his 

Who dare not strike with heart and hand 

For freedom and dear fatherland 

Where death's dark missiles crash and whiz. 



50 HISTORICAL SKETCHES. 

And Rog-er's mother has no tear 

Ro bitter as her tears wonld he 
If fi'orn th(^ battles of the free, 

Pier son shrank back with ci'aven fear. 

The patriotic struggles of the mother's soul with 
love of couutr}^ and her boy; and the eloquent pathos, 
so beautifully expressed by the poetess, were thorough- 
ly appreciated by Miss Varney, and ably rendered. 
The profound attention of the audience, with visible 
emotion manifested by mothers whose sons had craved 
the farewell blessing, were fitting tributes to the emo- 
tional power of the reader. 

The "Re.d, White and Blue" was sung by Miss 
Louise Morgan; Mrs. Carrie Chase presided at the 
piano. Rev. Mr. Jewell followed with excellent 
remarks, recommending the Christian Commission to 
public sympathy, and presented its scope and mission 
in an interesting and able manner. 

A grand choral anthem was given— ''Our Land of 
Libert3^" solo by B. B. Cushing, Esq. Mr. dishing 
seemed to throw into its execution the ardor and spirit 
of his younger days and never sang better. 

At this point, in response to a vigorous appeal from 
the chairman, a general attack in front, flank and rear, 
upon the edibles was made by the combined forces of 
old and young. 

The smoking stews, the fragrant chowder, and the 
stoical ice cream, yielded rapidly to the appetizing in- 
fluences brought into action against them, while barri- 
cades of pies and tarts and other "fine arts" went 



HISTORICAI. SKETCHES. 51 

down suddenly before the gastronomic attacks of the 
vigorous 3'oung patriots. Amiability and sociability 
ruled the hour and "all went merry as the marriage 
bell." 

At a late hour the entertainment concluded for the 
evening by some excellent and mirth provoking sing- 
ing and playing by Mr. Geo. Coffin. 

The elements conspired against the Levee the second 
evening, but only added to the sociability of the crowd 
which assembled, regardless of mud and water. 

R. A. Rich, Esq. "opened the ball" with some 
characteristic remarks, and the choir gave some 
splendid singing; indeed, the musical treat was the 
feature of the evening. The staunch "Old Star 
Spangled Banner," "National Hymn," "Sacred 
Anthem." "National Prayer," — solo by Miss Morgan 
— all finely executed. 

Geo. S. Silsby, the model post-master of the county, 
and Miss Clara Dudley, musical instructor of Hampden 
Academ}^ sang a beautiful duet entitled "Heavenl}^ 
Home." The spirit of the composition and character 
of the music was admirably adapted ta the superior 
tenor of Mr. Silsby and the sweet and highly culti- 
vated voice ot Miss Dudley. The exercises closed by 
the song, solo by Geo. Coffin, the audience joining in 
the chorus, and other selections ranging from grave to 
gay, by the same gentleman. 

Great credit is due the ladies for the manner in which 
the entertainment was originated and executed. Where 
all acquitted them-ielves so well, it may seem invidious 



52 HISTORICAL SKETCHES. 

to particularize, but we cannot refrain from acknowl- 
edging the personal effortvS of Mesdames Otis Kaler, 
T. Gushing, P. Cushing, J. Lord, P. Powers, Carrie 
Houston, True, Geo. Fernald, Gerry and Miss Sarah 
Abbott. 

We should do injustice to the indefatigable Wetmore, 
the prompt and active Gerry, and the tireless Master 
George Merrill, if we failed to mention the very im- 
portant and almost indispensable services rendered by 
them to the Levee. 

The construction Com., Messrs. Animi Merrill and 
Peter Cushing, performed their duties wath skill and 
promptness. 

Nearly half a peck of No. i shin plasters testified 
to the efficiency of that financial autocrat, J. Lord. 
No "promises to pay in even dollars," of doubtful 
convertibility, lodged in his exchequer. 

Mrs. J. Lord presided over the culinary department, 
which is only another way of saying that the "stews" 
were at least 75 per cent above par. 

As we have once said, the whole affair was a success, 
and very creditable to ail engaged in it. 



HISTORICAL SKETCHES. 53 



Gala Day at Winterport. 



THE NEW HALL OF GARFIELD LODGE OF ODD 
FELLOWS DEDICATED. 



Thursda3^ December 13, 1894, was a gala da}- at 
Winterport. The beautiful hall of Garfield Lodge of 
Odd Fellows, (see cut on page 16) was publicly dedi- 
cated by the Grand Lodge of Maine. 

The weather was not favorable, but it did not deter 
a large crowd from attending. At noon a large dele- 
gation of Odd Fellows and Rebekahs went up from 
Bucksport on the steamer Bismark. A dozen or more 
drove up from Belfast and Bangor furnished its quota. 

At one o'clock the street procession moved, lead by 
the Winterport band. The line was composed of lodges 
in Winterport and Bucksport, the visitors from other 
places joining the ranks of these two lodges. The 
Grand Lodge of Maine brought up at the rear. The 
march was made through the principal streets. 

At 3 o'clock the lodge room was filled to overflowing 
by the citizens and visitors. The beautiful ceremony 
of dedication was handsomely performed by Grand 
Master Samuel x\dams, of Belfast, assisted by N. G. 
Pettingill, as Grand Warden. Rev. J. P. Simonton, 
of Winterport, as Grand Chaplain, R. G. Dyer as 



54 HISTORICAL SKETCHES. 

Grand Marshal, W. K. Keene, Grand Herald of the 
North, Dr. Baker, of Winterport, Grand Herald of 
the South, C. R. Coombs, Grand Herald of the East, 
and B. B. Greenlaw, Grand Herald of the West. All 
the ofhcerS; excepting those specified, belonged in 
Belfast. The music furnished was of a high order. 

Grand Master Adams delivered an appropriate 
address, which was well received. 

At the close of the dedicatory ceremony, the entire 
company repaired to the dining-room of Union Hall 
where an excellent supper was served by the members 
of Garfield Lodge. The ceremonies of the day closed 
with a ball at Union Hall. 

Garfield Lodge, No. 99, was instituted Feb. 7, 1883, 
with six charter members. It now numbers nearly 200. 
The present year it has built a handsome block on 
Main street which it owns. The first floor contains 
two large stores, the second floor two offices and a 
banquet room. 

The third floor contains the lodge room and ante 
rooms. The hall is tastily furnished, and Garfield 
Lodge is to be congratulated upon its fine home. The 
lodge is among the first in the state. 

When Garfield Lodge undertakes a thing they never 
leave it half done. Everything was first-class and the 
several committees performed their work in proper 
style. P. C. Rich was Chief Marshal of the da5^ 
assisted by G. H. Dunton and A. W. Sliavv'. Geo. F. 
Snow was marshal of the hoiLc lodge. Lougee's Or- 
chestra, of Bangor, appeared on the stage at 8 P. M., 



HISTORICAL SKETCHES. 55 

in full dress and gave the party a great treat, discours- 
ing the finest music that ever came from this stage. 
The orchestra consisted of five pieces and every part 
was skillfully performed and with that harmony which 
makes friendship and love truly satisf5dng, every 
member of the party reciprocated b}?- perfect order and 
words of praise. The order of dances was well arranged 
and carried out to a letter. On the front of the folder 
were emblems of the order and the printing was done 
in scarlet and blue. The badges also represented the 
color of the degrees. The quartette deserves much 
praise for their services, as every number was well 
rendered. The parts were as follows: 

Mrs. C. R. Lougee, Soprano; Miss Chase, Contralto; 
Mr. Haley, Tenor; Mr. Howland, Bass. 




LofC. 



56 HISTORICAL SKETCHES. 

Winterport, Me., July 12, 1897. 
Dear Sir: — 

I understand you intend to publish a history 
of Frankfort (now Winterport.) I thought it might 
interest you and your readers to know something of 
one of the old pioneers and early settlers of Frankfort. 
I take the liberty to tell you how he gave away to his 
children all of the great tract of land he bought of the 
original proprietors. 

My grandfather, Ebenezer Blaisdell, was a soldier 
under Gen. Waldo, and helped build a fort at Fort 
Point about the year 1760 which was afterwards de- 
stroyed by the British. In going up and down the 
river with Gen. Waldo he became acquainted with the 
location of the land which he afterwards bought and 
settled on. He built a house on this land in 1785, 
being the third frame house built in the town, which 
would make it T12 years old, and is now the oldest 
house in town, and is now owned and occupied by E. 
F. Blaisdell. This tract of land run from the river 
back, one mile, and from the side lane near the Abbott 
watering-trough, to the farm now owned by John M. 
Snow. Quite a number of years before he died he gave 
all of this land to his children. 

He gave six acres on the river to his son, Ebenezer 
Blaisdell, Jr. The next lot he gave to his daughter, 
Mrs. Grant, where Mrs. Thos. McDonough now lives. 
Next to this lot he gave a lot to his daughter, Mrs. 
Dunning, where James Jepson now lives. The next 
lot, where the Sproul barn now stands and across the 



W 98 



HISTORICAL SKETCHES. 57 

road where Mr. Win. B. Sproul now lives, he gave to 
his daughter, Mrs. Fernald. The next lot, where the 
small house now stands, he gave to his daughter, Mrs. 
Haley. The next lot, where the old house now stands, 
built b}^ him in 1785, he gave to his son, Ebenezer. 
The next lot he gave to his daughter, Mrs. Mclntire. 
There is no building on this lot. The next lot he gave 
to his daughter, Mrs. Chick, where Miss Jennie Chick 
now lives. Next lot he gave to his daughter, Mrs. 
Dunning, and is now owned by T. H. Sproul. The 
next lot of three acres where the Catholic church now 
stands, he gave to his son, William. The next lot, 
where Capt. Dudley now lives, together with all the 
rest of the original tract, he gave to his son. James, 
to take care ot him and his wife during their lives. 
James afterwards exchanged farms with Capt. Childs, 
of Pemiquid, Bristol, where he moved, taking his fath- 
er and mother with him, where they died. The most of 
this land given to his son, James, is now owned by 
the Dudley heirs. 

Yours truly, 

E. F. Blaisdkll. 



THE END, 



/fi 







i^ ^^ o 



















.40^ 












y ♦jCKssA- vk* 4V^ ♦filial* ^n ^ t^S^A** 



^*'^^ 




i^^^ 



••• 
























^o'-T?^' 0-^ -^ ... 







J-"^t^. • 











v;^ 

^^^%. . 
















i?"^*. 











• "'^u*/ 









^ 4 










^' 



a • • ^ 




